Azerbaijan

News from the Human Right House Azerbaijan - 2008

A coalition of 24 members of the Human Rights House Network, including three Human Rights Houses, have signed a letter to president Aliev in which they ask to review the decision to ban local language FM-broadcasts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, BBC and Voice of America by the end of 2008. Banning the three stations from FM would severely deteriorate the Azerbaijani media landscape, they say. 04 Dec 2008»

On 24 September OSCE presented a report on the press situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan during the pre-election period. The report notes that there is no pluralism and no differences in terms of ideological angle or political ideas in the Azeri press. 27 Sep 2008»

On 18 September the Council of Europe (PACE) Pre-election Evaluation Mission conducted a press conference in the office of Council of Europe in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Head of the Mission Andreas Herkel (right) and mission members revealed a statement about the results of their visit to Republic of Azerbaijan. 22 Sep 2008»

On 18 September in the Republic of Azerbaijan Press Council’s office a ceremony was conducted to distribute special vests (illustrated right) designated for media representative covering mass actions to distinguish them from action participants. OSCE and IRFS have distributed the press vests to the journalists as well.
20 Sep 2008»

The "Election 2008" NGO Coalition conducted a seminar on the theme "Public Oversight Mechanisms in Free and Fair Elections: abilities, opportunities and problems". According to director of “Inam” Pluralism Center, Vahid Gazi (right), the role and influence of mass media during election is weak. 18 Sep 2008»

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Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) protects, empowers and supports human rights defenders and their organisations. To accomplish this, HRHF brings organisations together in Human Rights Houses, and unites the Houses in an international network. HRHF advocates with partner organisations to promote the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression, and the right to be a human rights defender – to ensure that individuals and organisations can work freely and openly to protect and advance human rights at home and abroad. Today, independent human rights organisations work together in 15 Human Rights Houses in 12 countries. The Houses are located in Eastern & Western Europe, the Caucasus and the Balkans. HRHF is based in Oslo, with an office in Geneva and representation in Brussels and Tbilisi.